U is for…

Welcome to “U” day!! We’re less than a week away from finishing up the challenge and I can’t believe I’ve made it this far! I’m going to be doing some serious NAPPING when this is over!!! Today’s post is short – with only one pet! His name is Uggie and he’s a movie star!!

In 2002 animal trainer Omar Van Muller found about a Jack Russell who was headed to the pound for the second time because he was too wild for his owners. It seems he was acting like any Jack Russell by being hyperactive. Muller said he would take the dog immediately and Uggie’s career as an animal actor was born! After some training, Uggie starred in some commercials and had a few minor movie roles. His first big part was as Queenie in Water for Elephants.

But the role he is best known for is in the 2011 silent movie, The Artist, as Jack. While the movie won 5 of the 2012 Oscar awards, including Best Picture, Uggie won the Golden Collar Award for Best Dog in a Theatrical Film from Dog News Daily. The American Humane Associated named him the winner of its PAWSCAR Best Scene Stealer. Uggie became the first dog to place his prints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. He also won the Palm Dog Award at the Cannes Film Festival and a special mention at the Prix Lumiere in France for his performance in the film. (I’ve seen the film and Uggie was great in it. However, I didn’t mind the fact that it was in black and white, but being a silent film bugged me and I ended fast-forwarding to just watch the Uggie scenes!) Due to a neurological disorder, Uggie had to retire from film acting in 2013, but remain with Omar and his family until his death in August, 2015.

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Thank “U” for stopping by!!! “U” know, at the end of the alphabet there are slim pickin’s as far as pets – but I will do my best to keep “U” entertained!!

Love U all!!, Toby

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